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ITBP calls of rescue operations in Malpa

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police on Friday called off its rescue operations in Malpa, the Uttar Pradesh village on China border where over 200 victims perished in a landslide on August 17-18 night.

The UP administration will, however, continue relief operations.

The army and air force had earlier called off their efforts code-named 'Operation Blue Angel.'

ITBP Director General Gautam Kaul said the decision was made following the ''realisation'' that no further purpose would be served as the dead bodies were reduced to skeletons, making their retrieval and recognition extremely difficult. The police personnel had cremated all unclaimed bodies on the spot. However, the remains of 140 bodies are still at the site.

More than 400 ITBP personnel were involved in the operation, code-named ' Operation White Horse'. This is considered to be the most intense one undertaken by the force during the last decade, Kaul said.

The ITBP pulled out at least 41 bodies from the debris, comprising 80 per cent rocks and 20 per cent loose soil. The army, Border Roads Organisation, Public Works Department and volunteers assisted them.

Eight ITBP personnel were among the dead.

Kaul said during the first four days after the tragedy, ITBP personnel worked in absolute darkness, through nights, and managed to rescue an injured pilgrim.

Outside relief came only after the personnel made a small wooden bridge over the Malpa nallah to restore communication from the north side of the village. Later, they constructed a makeshift helipad for army helicopters.

Fourteen army helicopters, including eight MI-17s and six Cheetah/Chetaks, later joined the relief operations.

UNI

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